Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry Bio

Hunter Mark Henry is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 7, 1994, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Henry has established himself as one of the most reliable receiving tight ends in professional football. He played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he earned unanimous All-American honors and won the John Mackey Award in 2015 as the nation’s top tight end. Henry was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft (35th overall) and spent five seasons with the organization before signing with the New England Patriots in 2021.

Early Life and Background

Henry was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 7, 1994, as the oldest of four children to Mark and Jenny Henry. His father, Mark, was a former offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1987 to 1991, lettering all four years before becoming a pastor. In 2000, the family relocated to the Atlanta area for Mark Henry’s job. Hunter Henry moved back to Little Rock for his freshman year of high school, where he attended Pulaski Academy for four years.

At Pulaski Academy, Henry played offensive tackle, wide receiver, and defensive end during his freshman year. Notably, he did not play tight end in high school because the school’s Spread Offense scheme did not feature that position. He started during his sophomore, junior, and senior years, helping the Bruins win a state championship in 2011. Henry was named to the Parade All-America team for the 2012-13 school year and was considered one of the top recruits in the nation.

Path to the NFL

Henry chose to continue his football career at the University of Arkansas, where he played for the Razorbacks from 2013 to 2015. As a freshman, he earned Second-team All-SEC honors and was named a Freshman All-American. He continued to develop his skills, earning First-team All-SEC selections in both 2014 and 2015, along with unanimous All-American honors in his final season.

During the 2015 season, Henry was involved in one of the most memorable plays in Arkansas football history. In a fourth-and-25 situation in overtime against rival Ole Miss, Henry caught a pass from quarterback Brandon Allen. Realizing he would be tackled short of the first down marker, he blindly flung the ball backward as a lateral to running back Alex Collins, who picked it up and ran 31 yards for a first down. This set up the winning touchdown and two-point conversion. Henry won the John Mackey Award that season, recognizing him as the best tight end in the nation. He helped Arkansas win back-to-back bowl games, beating Texas in the 2014 Texas Bowl and Kansas State in the 2016 Liberty Bowl. He declared for the NFL Draft on January 4, 2016.

Hunter Henry Career

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016-2020)

Henry was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round (35th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, becoming the first tight end selected in that draft class. He signed a four-year, $6.38 million contract with $3.98 million guaranteed and a $2.84 million signing bonus. Henry entered training camp competing for the backup tight end position but was named the third tight end on the depth chart behind veteran Antonio Gates and Sean McGrath.

In his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs, Henry made one reception for 20 yards in the season-opening overtime loss. He earned his first NFL start the following week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. During a Week 4 loss to the New Orleans Saints, he caught four passes for 61 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown on a 20-yard pass from Philip Rivers. Henry finished his rookie season with the second-most touchdowns by a rookie tight end in the last decade, trailing only Rob Gronkowski, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He also caught the final touchdown in Chargers history in San Diego, scoring on a 12-yard pass in the season finale against Kansas City.

In 2017, Henry suffered a lacerated kidney during Week 15 and was placed on injured reserve. He finished that season with 45 receptions for 579 yards and four touchdowns. In 2018, he suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities and missed the entire season. He returned in 2019 but suffered a tibia plateau fracture to his left knee in Week 2, returning later in the season to catch eight passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh. He finished 2019 with 55 receptions for 652 yards and five touchdowns. The Chargers placed the franchise tag on Henry in March 2020, and he signed it in April. He finished the 2020 season with 60 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns before becoming a free agent.

New England Patriots Era (2021-Present)

On March 19, 2021, Henry signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the New England Patriots. He scored his first Patriots touchdown in Week 4 during a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over the first 10 games of the 2021 season, Henry caught seven touchdown passes, establishing himself as a frequent red zone target for rookie quarterback Mac Jones. He finished the season with 50 receptions for 603 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.

Henry returned as the Patriots’ starting tight end in 2022, finishing with 41 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns. In 2023, he had two receiving touchdowns in a Week 14 victory over the Steelers and finished the season with 42 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns. On March 8, 2024, Henry signed a three-year contract extension with the Patriots. He had eight receptions for 109 yards in Week 2 against the Seahawks and finished the 2024 season with 66 receptions for 674 yards and two touchdowns.

In the 2025 season, Henry had two receiving touchdowns in Week 3 against the Steelers and recorded seven receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown in a Week 12 win over the Bengals. He finished the season with 60 receptions for 768 yards and seven touchdowns. On January 11, 2026, Henry scored his first playoff touchdown in a 16-3 Wild Card victory over his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers. In Super Bowl LV, he had three receptions for 31 yards in the 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Playing Style and Strengths

Henry is known for his reliable hands, precise route-running, and ability to contribute in both the passing game and blocking schemes. At 6 feet 5 inches and 249 pounds, he presents a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. His red-zone production has been a hallmark throughout his career, consistently scoring touchdowns in critical situations near the goal line.

Notable Events and Milestones

Henry’s career has been marked by impressive statistical achievements and memorable moments. His 2015 college lateral play against Ole Miss remains one of the most discussed plays in Arkansas football history. In the NFL, his rookie-season touchdown production ranked among the best in league history for rookie tight ends. His 2025 season included his first playoff touchdown and Super Bowl appearance with the Patriots.

Hunter Henry Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2016 to 2025, Henry has established himself as a consistent receiving threat at the tight end position. His career totals include 455 receptions for 5,295 receiving yards and 47 receiving touchdowns across regular season games.

NFL Regular Season Highlights

Henry’s most productive season came in 2021 with the Patriots, where he caught nine touchdowns. His best yardage season was 2025, when he recorded 768 receiving yards. He has demonstrated durability and reliability, appearing in over 130 career games. His career-high single-game performance came in 2019 against Pittsburgh when he recorded eight receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Career NFL Statistics

Through the 2025 season, Henry has compiled 455 receptions for 5,295 receiving yards and 47 receiving touchdowns across nine NFL seasons. His per-season average of approximately 50 receptions and 588 receiving yards demonstrates consistent production throughout his professional career.

Hunter Henry Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Henry comes from a football family with strong ties to the University of Arkansas. His father, Mark Henry, was an offensive lineman for the Razorbacks from 1987 to 1991 and later became a pastor. Hunter has three siblings: Hayden, Hudson, and Hope. Hayden Henry played linebacker at Arkansas from 2017 to 2022, while Hudson Henry was a tight end for the Razorbacks from 2019 to 2022, following in Hunter’s footsteps at the same position.

Personal Life

Henry married his college sweetheart Parker Schmidly on June 30, 2018. The couple has one son and one daughter. Henry is a Christian and has spoken publicly about his faith, saying it is the most important thing in his life. He grew up in a Christian household in Little Rock, where his father serves as a pastor. Henry is also a supporter of Compassion International, a Christian humanitarian organization focused on helping children in poverty.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season marked one of Hunter Henry’s most productive campaigns with the New England Patriots. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games, finishing with 60 receptions for 768 yards and seven touchdowns. His 768 receiving yards represented a career-high single-season total, demonstrating his continued ability to contribute as a receiving threat even as the Patriots navigated changes in their offensive scheme and quarterback play throughout the season.

Henry’s most notable performance came in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he recorded seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown in a 26-20 victory. He also scored two receiving touchdowns in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His consistency throughout the season made him a reliable target in crucial situations, particularly in the red zone where he continued his pattern of high touchdown production.

The 2025 season culminated in Henry’s first playoff experience as a Patriot. He scored his first playoff touchdown in the Wild Card round against his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers, catching the lone Patriots touchdown in a 16-3 victory. The win advanced the Patriots to the Divisional Round, where they eventually reached Super Bowl LV. In the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, Henry had three receptions for 31 yards in the 29-13 loss. The playoff run represented a significant milestone in Henry’s career, validating his value to the Patriots organization and providing the playoff experience that had eluded him through his first nine NFL seasons.